[umm_zuhoor]

Apologies, but I am not a student, nor a chemist either. I found this website as I frantically search for a place to ask questions. I hope this is the place. I just got a job as an assistant researcher for a skin care and cosmetics manufacturer and we are going Vegan. My job is to verify if the ingredients are plant source.

My question is supposing I have an ingredient like Glycol Distearate, how do I find out the source of this chemical 'ester' item? (i.e. the acid comes from a plant base and the alcohol is from...?)

I appreciate any help.

[agrobert]

Depends where/who you buy the ingredient from.  If it is a plant or animal extract that is pure it can't be differentiated from something synthetic.

[umm_zuhoor]

Thank you for your response! Now my job will be easier 

[Borek]

At least in some cases MS can be used. There is different ratio of ¹²C/¹⁴C in things made from todays plants and from oil. That's how Troy Landis got caught in Tour de France.

[umm_zuhoor]

Appreciate the input  (copied and pasted on MSWord). With a list of more than 100 ingredients, I'd settle with information from the vendors first